No more strange occurrences were encountered on the way. After overcoming the ascent, the railcar emerged at the ventilation shaft.
The exit was blocked by a powerful steel grate, so that no one could get out or get in.
Here, two masters came in handy. They took out gas cutters and got to work, and soon cut a passage large enough for the railcar to pass.
When the train emerged outside, everyone was met with freshness. The darkness of the Underhive was left behind – Li Qingyu had successfully broken through the trade route.
Jumping off the platform, he addressed his men:
"Wait here. I'll arrange for the cargo – and we'll go back."
"Knife, you're coming with me."
"Yeah," the latter replied briefly, adjusting the rifle on his back.
First, Li Qingyu visited the Silent One at the repair station.
"I've broken through the road to the surface. Do you want to stay here or come down with me? The house is big, there's enough space, and as much entertainment as you want."
The Silent One's eyes lit up. A person who bestows Sacred Food invites him to live with him? He quickly nodded.
"Yes! I'll go!"
"Then get ready. I'll be back soon – we'll go down together. The people by the ventilation are mine, don't touch them."
Having said this, Li headed with Knife towards the Planetary Defense Forces camp.
He decided to take Silent for a reason. The distillery would soon start up and attract the attention of local gangs. Especially dangerous was the Fertilizer Gang – they had already lent him fighters. Their loyalty was not to be counted on.
A strong defense was needed. Silent, capable of crushing a hundred enemies with a single psychic blow, was ideal.
Besides, he was simple to control – feed him treats, and he was yours.
Without demonic influence, Silent was just an insecure, lonely person. All it took was to call him, and he literally blossomed.
Then Li and Knife entered Lieutenant Rudolfson's sector. Li asked him to give them a ride to the front line. The latter seated them in a jeep and, driving the car, shared the news.
"Winchester is going to have an operation soon," Rudolfson said. "He found Old Sen's rebel camp and is preparing an attack. As soon as it starts, I'll let you know over the comms."
He nodded at the case next to Knife.
"Inside is a PDF sniper rifle. The scope has variable magnification, up to twenty. The rounds are armor-piercing, high-pressure."
"Five hundred rounds are yours. Practice. When the fight starts, try to take his head off with the first shot!"
Li nodded to Knife. The latter, stunned, picked up the case and handed it to his boss.
Li opened it – a heavy rifle with a long barrel. Huge optics. The scope seemed to be worth more than the weapon itself.
Slamming the case shut, he threw it back.
"Don't worry. Winchester is a corpse. Just say when he shows up, I'll take him down."
He informed them that the distillery was almost ready and that he was going for grain himself. He asked if Rudolfson had arranged for sales in the regiment.
"Of course. Everyone here, from the commander to the soldier, drinks daily. Three thousand heads – your distillery won't be able to brew as much as they drink in a day."
Li winced mentally.
"You're an army... isn't it a disgrace to be proud of that?"
He was once again convinced of how rotten this world was.
Meanwhile, the jeep pulled up to the border of the combat zone.
"By the way," Rudolfson said. "A week ago, some idiot in the next company got drunk and stepped on a minefield. Lost his legs. He didn't get any compensation – his own fault. His family can't afford it, they'll be thrown out into the Underhive soon. Want to take them?"
"How many are there and what are their ages?" Li clarified.
"Three: parents, around forty – still spry, a brother about twenty. And he himself without legs."
Li calculated: one invalid for three workers, one of whom is a potential fighter – profitable.
"If you take them," Rudolfson added, "the company commander will owe me. It will help me become a battalion commander."
"Plus, when your booze comes out, he'll order his men to drink only yours."
The decision was obvious. Li agreed.
Promising to get in touch, Rudolfson turned the jeep around and drove away, leaving Li and Knife in the grey zone.
Li chose a secluded spot, ordered Knife to lie in ambush, and left him the rifle with ammunition.
"Sit tight, wait. I'll pick you up on the way back."
Initially, he wanted to take Knife to the rebels, but with such an expensive gun, it would have been foolish. The rebels could have simply taken it. Let him guard the goods.
Knife watched his boss with envious eyes.
Li's confidence, connections, and strength – everything he himself never had. Working for someone like him was luck.
He understood that he had drawn a lucky ticket – better than languishing in the Fertilizer Gang with no future.
In fact, this was why Li had brought him here – to show him whose side was more advantageous to be on.
Firstly, so that Knife himself would realize whose side was more profitable.
And secondly, so that rumors would reach the Fertilizer Gang: that Li now had "protection" in the army. Touching him would be more trouble than it was worth.
And it worked.
For a long time, the Underhive gangs couldn't figure out who exactly was behind Li Qingyu. And even when the distillery was fully operational, no one dared to touch him.
And when they finally risked it – it was already too late. Li Qingyu had become a force that could not be ignored.